Tennessee driver's body found by tow truck driver after accident

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) - Tennessee law enforcement is investigating why a dead driver's body was not discovered at a crash scene and only found later in his vehicle after it was towed to a wrecker company's lot, officials said on Wednesday.

The body of Michael Floyd, 40, of Seymour, Tennessee, was discovered on Tuesday by the tow truck driver who had opened Floyd's minivan after removing it from the accident scene. Law enforcement officers were then called to the tow lot in Knoxville, Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman Lieutenant Bill Miller said by telephone.

Sergeant Jeffrey Appleba, who investigated the crash scene, determined the minivan was unoccupied and the wrecker service was summoned, Miller said. The tow truck driver later found the body on the passenger-side floorboard, partly covered by the vehicle's deployed airbag.

The 2002 Dodge Caravan went through a stop sign and crossed a state highway before striking an embankment, according to the highway patrol accident report.

The tow truck driver who discovered Floyd's body could not be reached to comment.

Miller said the highway patrol apologized to Floyd's wife after the trooper's error was discovered.